New Orleans Saints release Nick Fairley

Eleven months ago, defensive tackle Nick Fairley signed a four-year, $28 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. On Monday, the Saints released him, according to reports by the Times-Picayune and ESPN.

Because of Fairley's ailment and inability to play, the Saints and the player have an issue about how much money he's owed by the team. It has not been revealed how much money the Saints already have paid on the deal.

An arbitrator will decide if the Saints owe Fairley any more money or perhaps if he has to return any.

On Fairley's side, he and the Saints signed a contract that called for him to be paid a minimum of $9 million. The team could argue that the heart problem didn't fully come to light until Fairley underwent the physical examination required as part of the contract process, even if it came after the actual signing.

A physical at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2011 found Fairley had an enlarged heart, but that didn't prevent him from playing six NFL seasons.

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Fairley had a rejuvenating season after signing a one-year contract with the Saints in 2016. A year after not starting a game in his only season with the St. Louis Rams, Fairley started all 16 games for the first time in his NFL career. He recorded 45 tackles and a career-high 6.5 sacks.

Fairley entered the NFL as the 13th player picked in the 2011 NFL Draft after winning the 2010 Lombardi Award for Auburn's BCS national-championship team.

In four seasons with the Detroit Lions, Fairley played in 46 games, with 30 starts, and recorded 98 tackles, including 13.5 sacks. The Lions let Fairley leave in free agency after his rookie contract was up, and he spent 2015 as a Rams' reserve.

Fairley was an All-State football and basketball player at Williamson in Mobile.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @AMarkG1.